Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN)– Bangladesh is going to import 25,000 metric tons of sunned rice from Burma shortly aiming to keep prices of the essential item stable in the local markets, officials said on Sunday.

The decision was taken at a meeting of the cabinet committee on public purchase held in the capital, Dhaka on the day with Finance Minister AMA Muhith in the chair.

The government wants to ensure sufficient rice supply in the market, Food Minister Abdur Razzak told reporters after the meeting, adding that the government is also considering a proposal to import 5.0 million metric tons of rice soon.

Singapore-based Indo-Sino Trade Limited was awarded to supply the bulk rice from Burma, officially known as Myanmar, at a rate of US$ 395 per ton.

The Indo-Sino Trade syndicate won the contract “as the lowest bidder”, a senior government official confirmed.

BBN/SS/SI/AD-08March10-1:30 am (BST)